New Orleans Hornets Media Day 2010-11

[NickMalone77]

Changes

Appreciate the things you have around you because the grass may not always be greener on the other side. With every move you make, there's always an inherited risk taken to either make one step forward or two steps back to make a leap four steps forward in the future. Speaking in platitudes to reflect how you reach a peak of accomplishment before coming to a realization is not attempting to avoid the subject.

Zach Randolph...

We made the playoffs 7 out of 8 years ZBo threw on the teal and purple pinstripes and through out move from Charlotte to New Orleans, he was that foundation piece that remained the center of our franchise since we acquired him for another franchise piece who also changed places this offseason, Ron Artest. We took a risk of acquiring Baron Davis last season at the expense of sacrificing our depth. We barely defeated the Knicks and couldn't last against the Hawks. ZBo played out of his mind all last year and earned himself an All Star spot and a spot on the All League second team but would that personal accomplishment all be worth it if this team at best made it to round 2 of the playoffs?

We were presented with a few offers but eventually came around to the decision that this franchise needed change for our future. Granted, we were without our pick for this next coming draft due to other moves that hindered what we were able to do in the past but we had to move on. Trading away ZBo, we knew the return necessarily wouldn't mean = value but acquiring a young wing in Danny Green, we're hopeful he can grow into an effective 2 way player and grow with the franchise in much the same way as ZBo did. Also, trading away ZBo gave us much more cap room than we expected and by the end of Free Agency, we weren't able to restructure certain bids that would've almost assuredly netted more assets than what the team seen here is currently constructed as.

We were still able to sign Steve Novak (who turned down RFA rights) to an affordable deal where he can also be an offensive option that has a specialty to where the NBA game as a whole is heading in the three point shot. We also signed Jamal Crawford a useful option that has bounced around the league and been an important weapon brought off many a benches throughout his NBA career. Brandon Bass, Marco Belinelli, and Ed Davis all took important steps to improve their games a little bit during the preseason to as well work out a role with the team as well. I'm sure there will be more moves to be made over the course of this season and more as we're all aware of what the long road ahead looks like. The phone is always open.

[MESSI_2.0]

Do you feel as though your team has enough inside presence to compete on the boards, or are you looking to find a better rebounding frontcourt?

[NickMalone77]

Do you feel as though your team has enough inside presence to compete on the boards, or are you looking to find a better rebounding frontcourt?

I think once we traded away Randolph, our inside presence went out the window. We like what Brandon Bass can grow into long term as a defender and rebounder but the way our team is constructed now, we'll most likely live on a night to night basis with how we shoot the 3pt ball.

4 out of 5 positions can hit a three pointer on this team and even Troy Murphy who we signed for virtually scraps can hit a three depending on the moment so it'll definitely stretch the defenses. But if an offer came our way where we can implement a proven rebounder into our lineup, we'd be nuts to turn down that offer if it's satisfactory to what our team needs.

[JNR]

GWR: What are your realistic expectations regarding a trade package for Baron?

[IamQuailman]

After Marco's preseason, do you believe he is the GOAT?

[NickMalone77]

GWR: What are your realistic expectations regarding a trade package for Baron?

I don't think it's much of a stretch to expect a good enough prospect and maybe a first round draft pick of some value too? He's 31 and still a top 5 point guard in the game. He's on a 2 year deal and while it may be difficult to match contracts money wise given what he's making at 23.7 mil this year and then close to 25 mil the following year, the depth at PG now in this game is unreal. But if you're a team that thinks they need one excellent point guard and Finals MVP to put them over the top, why not take a shot and a risk?

[NickMalone77]

After Marco's preseason, do you believe he is the GOAT?

You know what they say.... A bowl of pasta a day keeps the doctor away....I think. And given his Defensive efficiency, He is no GOAT.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: How has your 5-1 preseason record affected your outlook for this season?

[kucoach7]

Is there any chance you move Novak for a younger player this year?

[NickMalone77]

Random Reporter: How has your 5-1 preseason record affected your outlook for this season?

I think the preseason generally skews things and doesn't properly reflect a real sense of how this team can perform over an 82 game regular season. That being said, I think the assistant did a tremendous job against the teams we were pitted against and how this team is constructed, we will try something that we've never really utilized before. A different theory to play in a similar fashion to how this game is evolving and changing here in the next year or so. We liked what we saw albeit we realize the difficulties of what this season can present this season ahead.

[NickMalone77]

Is there any chance you move Novak for a younger player this year?

No player is ever untouchable or unmoveable in this league. The closest thing to that would probably be Danny Green right now for our organization. We like and value Steve. We were shocked when he turned down whatever offer he got during RFA to become unrestricted. We love his skill set for someone his size and what he can do around the perimeter. Now if an offer interesting enough were to cross my path, I'd be stupid not to consider it and what our best options are in the short and long term future. The phone is always ringing.

[fearthebrow]

Random Dallas reporter:

Except for a few teams, the East looks pretty wide open this year. Is there any chance you keep Baron and try to make a run at it? Like you said, he's still one of the top point guards in the game.

[NickMalone77]

Random Dallas reporter:

Except for a few teams, the East looks pretty wide open this year. Is there any chance you keep Baron and try to make a run at it? Like you said, he's still one of the top point guards in the game.

Baron is indeed that and unlike a lot of the young guards in the game today, he is a proven commodity. When we acquired Baron, he quickly assumed leadership of this team with ZBo and without him, we'd be floundering like a few other teams currently in the league. Baron once again has no qualms about leading this team and he's an excellent on floor general. Without our pick, if we can make the playoffs that'd be the best possible option for this club. But as I said before in another question posed, no player is untouchable. If there's an enticing enough offer out there, we'd be dumb not to listen to improve our long term future.